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Rose of Jericho · Anastatica hierochuntica

Why are my Rose of Jericho leaves curling?

The Rose of Jericho is a desert resurrection plant that naturally curls its leaves to protect itself during dry periods. If your plant is curling while in a water tray, it is likely reacting to a lack of hydration or poor water quality.

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curling leaves on a plant
Photo: Freshclover, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Check if the plant is currently in a water tray.
  2. Touch the plant to see if it feels brittle or soft.
  3. Inspect the water source for high mineral content.

Likely causes

  1. Natural dormancy

    Most likely

    How to tell: The plant is tightly balled up and dry to the touch.

    What to do: Place the base of the plant in a shallow tray with 0.5 inches of water. Allow it to sit for 24 hours to begin the opening process.

  2. Water quality

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant remains curled even after sitting in water for several days.

    What to do: Switch to distilled or filtered water instead of tap water. Minerals in tap water can sometimes inhibit the plant's ability to absorb moisture.

Curling leaves on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your rose of jericho

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

It is never a cause for worry as this is the plant's natural survival mechanism. You only need to intervene if you want the plant to be open for display.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the plant in a dry, cool place when not in use to allow it to stay in its natural dormant state.

Rose of Jericho: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your rose of jericho and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Is my plant dead if it stays curled?
Not at all. This plant is famous for its ability to stay dormant for years and still come back to life when given water.
How long does it take to open?
Most plants will begin to unfurl within 4 to 24 hours of being placed in water.

More problems with Rose of Jericho

Back to the Rose of Jericho guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.